A brief review of the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

The adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is seen with increasing frequency. It is associated with a variety of conditions even in the absence of preexisting pulmonary diseases. The treatment often includes intubation, using positive-end expiratory pressure (PEEP), and other ancillary support. The mortality rate is high, and physicians caring for such patients should be on guard for disseminated intravascular coagulation, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and infection.